BU Researchers Need Recent Patients for Study

A group of researchers from Boston University, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and the MGH Institute for Health Professions is currently conducting a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based exercise program for people who have had a hip fracture.  Funding is provided through a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The study involves:

  • The evaluation of two treatments among hip fracture survivors after they have returned home and completed all rehabilitation therapy.
  • Eligible participants will participate in either a home exercise program or a nutrition education program for 9 months.
  • A research assistant will visit participants in their homes three times to assess their progress.
  • Participants will receive financial compensation for these evaluation visits.
  • No travel outside the home is required and all therapy visits, equipment and materials are provided free of charge.

If your organization is interested in learning more about the study or if you have patients who might be interested, please contact Kira Wilke at 617-638-1981.

More details are also available on this fact sheet and representatives from the BU study will make a presentation at the next Rehab Managers’ Meeting on September 16.

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Medicaid Funding for States Clears US Senate

A federal program aimed at sending states funding for education and Medicaid providers cleared the US Senate by a vote of 61-38, according to reports by CNN and the Boston Globe.

Out of the $16 billion in Medicaid money and $10 billion for education, Massachusetts stands to receive $655 million in total with $405 million in one-time funds allocated for Medicaid services.

Massachusetts was one of 30 states that constructed their budget with the expectation that FMAP, or Federal Medical Assistance Percentages that supply federal funds to state Medicaid operations, would be extended. When that action was delayed, however, the state had to come up with a contingency budget that set up Medicaid-funded programs to be compensated mostly by the Massachusetts General Fund and a smaller percentage coming from FMAP.

Without these funds, Massachusetts and other states would be forced to make cuts. The program now moves to a vote in the US House of Representatives.

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Conversation with Congressman John Tierney

North Shore Elder Services and the Danvers Council on Aging are hosting a conversation with Congressman John Tierney.

When: August 17, 1:30-3:30
Where: Danvers Council on Aging, 25 Stone Street, Danvers

Any person or Home Care Alliance member interested in attending is urged to ask for the Congressman’s support of the following:

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Alliance.

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Last Push for Nurse Delegation Bill in House

The Home Care Alliance and other organizations supporting S.860, An Act Relative to Home Health Aides, are making a final push to get the legislation before the full House of Representatives for a vote.

July 30 and 31 are the last days of the legislative session so we need your emails and phone calls today to your state reps to urge support for the Nurse Delegation bill.

Click here and fill out the form to send an email or, if you prefer to call, click here to find out who represents you in the Massachusetts House.

For more information on Nurse Delegation, go to our blog and search “nurse delegation” or “S.860.”

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New Medicare PPS Rates

The Alliance has calculated Medicare 2011 home health PPS rates for all CBSAs in Massachusetts, based on data from the Federal Register notice published on July 23, 2010.

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Bayada Nurses Expands Volunteer Recruitment Campaign for Haiti Relief

Home Care Alliance member agency, Bayada Nurses announced that the company’s nationwide recruitment campaign to send volunteer nurses to Haiti has been extended to include licensed practical nurses as well as registered nurses.  The campaign will also  double the number of nurses the company will sponsor.   “There is a great need in Haiti that is on-going.  We want to expand our efforts to help an area that desperately needs assistance,” explains Mark Baiada, president and founder of Bayada Nurses, a national home health care company with office in 18 states.   “We are looking for experienced nurses to travel to Haiti for a minimum of four weeks.  All experienced RNs and LPNs are welcome to apply.  The  effort is not limited to Bayada Nurses employees.  The company has increased the original goal of sponsoring 12 nurses to a new commitment of sponsoring up to 24 nurse volunteers in Haiti.

The company is coordinating volunteer placements in Haiti with Heart to Heart International, a non-profit, humanitarian agency founded in 1993 to provide medical education and aid to hospitals and clinics around the world. Bayada is paying all travel and living costs for volunteers, reimbursing nurses for all recommended inoculations, and providing many of the recommended supplies nurses will need while in Haiti.  Heart to Heart coordinates living accommodations, travel, meals, interpreters, and security for nurses during their stay in Haiti.

For more information about Bayada Nurses for Haiti Volunteer Relief Campaign, or to volunteer, visit www.bayada.com/haiti or email haiti@bayada.com.

Support Needed for NPs, PAs Signing Home Health Plans of Care

Legislation has been introduced in both the US House and Senate to allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse specialists to sign  home health plans of care:  S. 2814; H.R. 4993.

At present, only two members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation have signed on to these bills:  Congressmen McGovern and Olver.  The goal is to get 100 cosigners before the August recess. Please contact your elected federal officials and ask them to sign on.  The Legislative Action Page of the Alliance website includes  background information (scroll down on the page until you see the subject “Allow NPs/PAs to Order Home Health Services).

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HCA Welcomes New Member: Bay State Senior Care, Inc.

The Alliance is pleased to welcome its newest member, Bay State Senior Care, Inc., a private care agency in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

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HCA Welcomes New Member: Comfort Keepers of Westport

The Alliance is pleased to welcome its newest member, Comfort Keepers of Westport, a private care agency in Westport, Massachusetts.

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Advocacy Alert: Home Health Care Access Protection Act

Please encourage your congressional legislators to add their names as cosponsors of the Home Health Care Access Protection Act (H.R. 5803; S. 3315) introduced by Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) and Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russ Feingold (D-WI).

In light of the recent CMS rule that proposes to cut home health payments by 3.79 percent in 2010 and 3.79 in 2011 based on an unfounded allegation of “case mix creep,” this legislation is vitally important to preserve access to home health services because it would establish a fairer and more transparent process for evaluating case mix changes. Home health advocates also should ask their legislators to convey these significant concerns about payment cuts to CMS.

  • Click here and enter your address to find your federal legislators and their contact information. To access the text of the House bill and a list of House cosponsors, click here. To see the text of the Senate bill and a list of Senate cosponsors, click here.
  • If your legislators have not yet cosponsored H.R. 5803 (the House bill) or S. 3315 (the Senate bill), please contact their offices and encourage them to do so. When calling, ask to speak with the staffer who handles Medicare issues. For talking points, click here.
  • To send an email on this issue to your members of Congress using the NAHC Legislative Action Network, click here. We encourage you to edit the sample email provided there by adding information about your own background and experience and the impact these payment cuts could have on home health patients in your state.

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